The third-place playoff is often seen as a poisoned chalice at the end of tournament disappointment. Tonight at the Rugby World Cup, South Africa and Argentina proved that it meant something.
The Springboks secured the bronze medal with a 24-13 victory after the two beaten semi-finalists battered and bruised each other during a hard-fought curtain-raiser to tomorrow’s final.

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Argentina’s Tomas Cubelli was sent to the sin-bin after just five minutes at London’s Olympic Stadium, and South Africa immediately capitalised as JP Pietersen touched down within 90 seconds.
Handre Pollard added 11 further points in the first half – becoming the tournament’s highest scorer in the process – as the two-time champions established a comfortable 16-0 adva...